I've read and reread quite a few threads on purchasing an older model "quality" trailer versus buying a newer and less well built trailer. We have been looking at this trailer for a couple of days and have spoken with the dealership at length. It's a 1999 model C&C. We have also looked at quite a few newer trailers(Bison, Exiss, Lakota, Sundowner) that we can purchase for about the same cost. What do you think about the older C&C's? We already own a 1998 C&C and just love it.

Emailed the dealer with about 50 questions and talked to him as well.(trailer is 260 miles away) The dealer is willing to do quite a bit of work to get it ready to sell to us. All at no extra cost to us.

http://horsetrailerworld.com/home/trailerdetail.asp?ID=373921

Normally I am a staunch advocate for used equipment. A used trailer in good shape will indicate its build quality, something a new one can't. Often times you can afford a used trailer with more options, than when purchasing a new one.

Having said that, if you can buy new for the same price, do it.

You beat me to my question...I was wondering how you could by a new trailer with a 12' shortwall that was 8' for $30,000.  Personally I would buy the used trailer rather than having something new that didn't fit me as well.  I have 2001 Exiss 3 horse trailer with a factory 8' living quarters that I paid $17,000.  It has just as much room as the new trailers with the 8' living quarters that cost twice and much but mine is paid for. It might not be as new on the inside but some elbow grease, pictures on the wall, a new comforter, new rugs, and a bit of decor go a long ways.

Yes, we can buy new at about the same price point.  But, they aren't as wide(6'9"-7' vs 8'), have a shorter LQ with less features, bus windows on the butt instead of drops, no generator preinstalled, manual crank jack vs. hydraulic jack, one battery instead of two, and on and on.

You answered your own question. No you can't buy a new similarly equipped trailer, for the same price as an older used one. The used one is a better value.

Jackbrat,

In looking at C&C prices around the country, they seem to hold their value longer, much like 4Stars, Platinums and other top line trailers. There are much more expensive C&C's out there with less on them than this trailer.

The scratches in the tack area are just cosmetic, not a structural problem. I can live with those. Showtime Interiors has already replaced the flooring, the awning and the Onan LP generator is only 2 years old. 162 hours on it. Cheapest I can find it online is $3000 and that doesn't include all the accessory parts and labor to install. The dealer is replacing the stove for us as well as the padding in the horse stall area. He's also going to repack the bearings. All of this at no additional charge to us. Willing to give us more for our trade in than any other dealer too!

We went ahead and put a deposit on it yesterday, going to pick it up next week.

As BigT said, check those tires... That tread on that spare looks like a "Hi-Run" brand trailer tire... You may not want those on your (new to you) trailer if they were brand new..!!

Rather have 30K in that trailer than to have 30K in some of these new trailers on the market today.

Keep us informed on how that propane generator works out for you...